VW Beetle (2004) air bag faults.

[DarkMatter]

I have a 2004 Beetle cabriolet on which the air bag warning light is on. VCDS reports faults with both front crash sensors.....

Address 15: Airbags Labels: 1T0-909-605.lbl
Part No: 6Q0 909 605 AF
Component: 07 AIRBAG VW71 0509
Coding: 0012343
Shop #: WSC 00066 000 00000
VCID: 7BF5C2F639F4E1F93B2-5140

2 Faults Found:
01738 - Crash Sensor for Front Airbag; Drivers Side (G283)
004 - No Signal/Communication - Intermittent
01739 - Crash Sensor for Front Airbag; Pass. Side (G284)
004 - No Signal/Communication - Intermittent

It seems unlikely to me that both sensors would fail, it hasn't been in an accident, but I would be inclined to suspect a failure in something that is common to both sensors.

Any suggestions on what to investigate first?

PH doesn't seem very popular for VW New Beetle owners, which is the best forum to use?

Many thanks.

[T66ORA]

Has the battery recently been flat? A few cases of the Airbag light coming on after a drain.

I would reset and see if the light comes back on.

[bigjobbo]

Front crash sensors are prone to failure on the Beetle. I would expect the airbag light on as soon as one failed though. Are you able to look at ambient requirements on VCDS to see which occurred first? The sensors should be wired directly to the ECU, but I can't be sure without looking at the wiring diagram. They are fitted on to the front panel either side of the bonnet lock and are generally inaccessible with the bumper/wing assembly in place.

[DarkMatter]

T66ORA said:

Has the battery recently been flat? A few cases of the Airbag light coming on after a drain. I would reset and see if the light comes back on.

Thanks for the suggestion.
Yes the battery has been flat, or very nearly flat, recently but I believe the airbag light has been on for some time - I only recently bought the car with that fault known.

I did clear the fault codes with VCDS but they immediately returned.

bigjobbo said:

Front crash sensors are prone to failure on the Beetle. I would expect the airbag light on as soon as one failed though. Are you able to look at ambient requirements on VCDS to see which occurred first? The sensors should be wired directly to the ECU, but I can't be sure without looking at the wiring diagram. They are fitted on to the front panel either side of the bonnet lock and are generally inaccessible with the bumper/wing assembly in place.

Thank you.

As stated above, I only recently bought the car knowing that it has the airbag fault. I don't have any details about when it first occurred though.

I don't know what you mean by ambient requirements but I'll see if I can work that out on VCDS.

I've read elsewhere that a connector under the seat can cause the airbag fault and as the car (a cabriolet) has been wet inside there is a chance that the connectors are corroded.

Thanks.

[bigjobbo]

Ambient requirements is when the fault occurred, time, date, mileage, engine temp, revs etc. The Beetle technology may be a little old for those details to be stored though. The connector under both seats is for side airbag igniters. The fault stored would be 'N199 - Side airbag igniter resistance too high' or similar. The front crash sensors are exposed to the elements and are likely suspects. Is it possible the faults were cleared without your knowledge?

[DarkMatter]

bigjobbo said:

Ambient requirements is when the fault occurred, time, date, mileage, engine temp, revs etc. The Beetle technology may be a little old for those details to be stored though. The connector under both seats is for side airbag igniters. The fault stored would be 'N199 - Side airbag igniter resistance too high' or similar. The front crash sensors are exposed to the elements and are likely suspects. Is it possible the faults were cleared without your knowledge?

Thanks again bigjobbo. I think that you may be right that the Beetle technology is too old to store the ambient requirements.

From what you've said there is probably no need for me to check the under-seat connectors. It does sound as though I'll be taking the front end off to check/replace the front crash sensors.

I don't think anyone has cleared any faults without my knowledge. I knew that the air bag warning light was on when I bought the car, and my VCDS scan showed the faults I posted earlier, I then went through the fault code clearing procedure but they came straight back.

[DarkMatter]

Just to conclude this thread, before spending money on 2 new front crash sensors I checked the yellow connectors under each front seat and checked the yellow connector to the airbag controller, all connector contacts were clean and free from corrosion so to a certain extent checking these things was a waste of time.

I purchased two new VW front crash sensors and fitted them, the fault code has not returned and the airbag warning light now goes off and stays off after the ignition on self check.

[T66ORA]

Thanks for the update, its always good to see how problems were resolved.

[Fateggs]

DarkMatter said:

Just to conclude this thread, before spending money on 2 new front crash sensors I checked the yellow connectors under each front seat and checked the yellow connector to the airbag controller, all connector contacts were clean and free from corrosion so to a certain extent checking these things was a waste of time.

I purchased two new VW front crash sensors and fitted them, the fault code has not returned and the airbag warning light now goes off and stays off after the ignition on self check.

Hi Darkmatter,

I have exactly the same issue on our 2004 Beetle. Can you tell me how you did the fix: how long did it take, how much did it cost, was it easy enough for an amateur?

Any step by step instructions you had?

Many thanks.

[DarkMatter]

Fateggs,

See my reply in the other thread here .

[Fateggs]

DarkMatter said:

Fateggs,

See my reply in the other thread here .

Thanks

[Ian-v626h]

I have an error code on my VW beetle convert 2004 and purchased a sensor 6Q0909606H

Its only showing as the passengers side sensor G284 failed

I understand the 6Q0909606H is the replacement for an older sensor, but someone has now told me I need to replace both sides if my car has the older sensors

You can't have a new sensor and old sensor together on different sides ?? Is this correct ??

Many Thanks